Author: Andrew Saunders

UFC 153 Results: Demian Maia Defeats Rick Story Via Rear-Naked Choke

The main card of UFC 153 started out with an exciting battle between welterweight title hopefuls Rick Story and Demian Maia Saturday in Rio de Janeiro.Rick Story tried to come out with quick and powerful strikes early, but Demian Maia wasted little tim…

The main card of UFC 153 started out with an exciting battle between welterweight title hopefuls Rick Story and Demian Maia Saturday in Rio de Janeiro.

Rick Story tried to come out with quick and powerful strikes early, but Demian Maia wasted little time in working Story to the canvas. It was the beginning of the end, as Story could do little but pray for a mistake.

Fighting in his home country, Maia used punches from half guard to soften up Story while patiently waiting for an opening. It didn’t take long, as Story gave up his back and succumbed to a rear-naked choke halfway through the first round. It was a gruesome sight, as blood poured from the mouth and nose of Story before he eventually conceded defeat.

This was the second first-round stoppage for Maia in as many bouts since dropping down from the middleweight division. At UFC 148, he defeated judo master Dong Hyun Kim in only 47 seconds.

Story suffered his third loss in four contests, although this is the first time he has been stopped in 20 professional bouts. Prior to this contest, a decision victory over Brock Jardine stopped a two-fight skid at the hands of Martin Kampmann and Charlie Brenneman.

What is next for each combatant? Is Maia now on the fast track toward title contention at 170 pounds? Will Story be able to recover from such a humiliating loss?

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for up-to-the-minute results from UFC 153, as well as post-fight analysis and more.

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UFC 153 Fight Card: Demian Maia and the 10 Best Grapplers in the UFC

Saturday night marks the return of Demian Maia, a highly regarded jiu-jitsu practitioner who won his first five UFC contests via submission. Few have ever scored five submissions inside the Octagon, let alone in successive bouts.Maia is undoubtedly one…

Saturday night marks the return of Demian Maia, a highly regarded jiu-jitsu practitioner who won his first five UFC contests via submission. Few have ever scored five submissions inside the Octagon, let alone in successive bouts.

Maia is undoubtedly one of the best grapplers that the sport has ever seen and possibly the best on the current UFC roster. However, there are lots of guys who members of the UFC elite wouldn’t dream of rolling on the mat with. 

In preparation for his welterweight battle with Rick Story, here is a look at Maia and the 10 best grapplers currently in the UFC.

This list focuses on pure grappling ability more than grappling for MMA. In the event that two fighters were ranked too closely to separate them, the benefit of the doubt went to the fighter with better pure grappling credentials.

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Anderson Silva vs Stephan Bonnar: Preview, Odds and Predictions for UFC 153

The last time that the UFC went to Brazil, fans were treated to a lackluster card that included a rematch no one asked for in the main event and five promotional newcomers on the main card.At UFC 153, big-name stars Anderson Silva and Minotauro Nogueir…

The last time that the UFC went to Brazil, fans were treated to a lackluster card that included a rematch no one asked for in the main event and five promotional newcomers on the main card.

At UFC 153, big-name stars Anderson Silva and Minotauro Nogueira come out to play.

Silva faces Ultimate Fighter pioneer Stephan Bonnar in a light heavyweight contest that promises to produce fireworks. Billed as a battle that can only end in a spectacular knockout or an incredible upset, there is little question that the fight is the type of battle that fans crave.

Big Nog sees action for the first time in 10 months when he meets 21-4 heavyweight Dave Herman in another brilliant stylistic matchup.

Top prospects Erick Silva and Glover Teixeira will both try to live up to their hype when they meet Jon Fitch and Fabio Maldonado, respectively. Will either man be upset, or will they contender to climb the divisional ladder?

A rematch between light heavyweight standout Phil Davis and undefeated Brazilian Wagner Prado takes place on the card, as well as an exciting welterweight matchup between exceptional grappler Demian Maia and relentless Rick Story.

Only a few days away from fight night, let’s take a look at UFC 153, including fight previews, odds and predictions for all six main-card bouts.

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UFC on FX 5 Results: Post-Fight Stock Report

The heavyweight division has been shaken up once again.In a division that features heavy-handed monsters who can finish fights in the blink of an eye, there is little surprise that new contenders come and go as quickly as tween idols like Hillary Duff …

The heavyweight division has been shaken up once again.

In a division that features heavy-handed monsters who can finish fights in the blink of an eye, there is little surprise that new contenders come and go as quickly as tween idols like Hillary Duff or Cascada.

While Bigfoot may not have forced us to forget about losses to Daniel Cormier and Cain Velasquez, he certainly showed that he is no fluke.

Also on the card, welterweight contender Jake Ellenberger avenged the first loss of his career, and the flyweight division saw the crowning of the next title contender.

As if that wasn’t enough, we saw shocking upsets, come-from-behind victories, and highlight reel finishes from the main event all the way down to the curtain-jerker.

With UFC on FX 5 in the books, here is a look at the post-fight stock report for every fighter on the card.

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UFC on FX 5 Results: Five Fights for Travis Browne to Take Next

It was clear to most of the home audience as well as the announcers that Browne had done damage to his knee early in the first round. A replay after the fight’s closing moments showed that Browne tweaked his knee while stepping in for a kick.Getting he…

It was clear to most of the home audience as well as the announcers that Browne had done damage to his knee early in the first round. A replay after the fight’s closing moments showed that Browne tweaked his knee while stepping in for a kick.

Getting healthy is the most important thing for “Hapa,” but once he returns, rebuilding the momentum he once enjoyed will be first on his priority list.

Here is a look at five fights for Travis Browne to take next.

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UFC on FX 5 Results: Five Fights for Jake Ellenberger to Take Next

Ellenberger has been tremendously successful since joining the UFC roster, but suffered a recent setback when he was stopped (perhaps prematurely) by Martin Kampmann back in June.With another win under his belt, Ellenberger is back on the right side of…

Ellenberger has been tremendously successful since joining the UFC roster, but suffered a recent setback when he was stopped (perhaps prematurely) by Martin Kampmann back in June.

With another win under his belt, Ellenberger is back on the right side of title contention. Unfortunately, with champion Georges St-Pierre having his next few fights lined up, most of the top-ranked fighters at 170 pounds are busy.

Ellenberger boasts wins over the likes of Jake Shields and Diego Sanchez, and it’s important to keep this top-ranked welterweight busy with a quality opponent while the title picture clears up.

Here is a look at five fights for Jake Ellenberger to take next.

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